Heartland
Heartland tells the story of Lauren, an artist living in suburban Oklahoma, who has moved back home with her mom, Crystal, following the sudden death of her girlfriend. The relentlessly chipper Crystal assumes her daughter is headed back to the straight and narrow, but Lauren is only paying lip service to her mother’s plans to stave off the pain of the recent tragedy.
When Lauren’s brother Justin comes home with his uptight girlfriend Carrie to help launch a local winery, he enlists Lauren and Carrie to help with the marketing concept. Although the two women are quite different, an attraction between them builds as Lauren rediscovers her sense of fun, and Carrie questions her traditional future. Eventually, the two begin a passionate affair that creates havoc when the secret comes out.
[This film was started in Jeffrey Tambor’s workship and was supported by Tambor, Sarah Paulson, and Julia Stiles.]
Awards & Press Quotes
WINNER
Audience Award for Drama
Cinequest, San Jose’s Int’l Film Festival
WINNER
Best Performance: Velinda Godfrey
Austin Int’l Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
“A charming story about a lesbian from Oklahoma . . . Something else I like about this film: It’s written and directed by WOMEN! Heartland has a great gay character (Some great straight ones too), a lesbian story line, written by a lesbian writer and directed by a woman, is there a reason not to be interested?” – SheWired
“Not your typical coming out film . . .This story explores the shifting nature of sexuality, the limitations of love, and the definition of family, all driven by denial, and unexplored grief at the loss of a loved one.” – Huffington Post
“If you were raised or reside in the South, if you come from a complicated family, if you have been touched by grief and loss, if you have ever questioned the life you were told you were supposed to live, then you need to see Heartland.” – All the World’s a Stage
